Athlete Spotlight for Wednesday, April 30, 2014.

Bryson Serigney will be one to watch when Harlem High School begins its run at the Georgia High School Association Class AA state baseball title on Friday.

The Bulldogs’ senior promises to be an impact maker whether he is in the outfield or pitching. He’ll go wherever head coach Jimmie Lewis needs him the most in the opening-round series.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in Bryson pitching and he hits the ball well and plays a hell of an outfield,” said Lewis.

Serigney started playing baseball when he was three years old and his first team was one near Atlanta called the Tiny Tot Terrors. He has certainly lived up to his first team’s name, terrorizing opposing pitchers since his freshman year. He was named All-County his freshman and sophmore seasons, hitting .418 and .382, respectively. Also All-Region 3-AAA First Team his sophmore year, he was All-County Second Team and All-Region 3-AA Second Team as a junior, hitting .326 while going 3-1 on the mound.

While he has a preference for which position he’d play if forced to choose, Serigney likes aspects of both.

“If the ball’s being hit to me I’d rather play outfield,” Serigney said. “Sometimes it gets boring out there. I do like pitching because I like battling people. I like battling hitters.”

He likes to mix it up with both fastballs and curveballs and pitches depending on what the situation calls for.

“I like to be more finesse, then at times try to ramp it up when I need to,” Serigney said.

He takes his role as a leader on the team seriously.

“I try to set more of an example when I’m out there on the field,” he said. “I don’t really give speeches. Even if I’m doing bad or good, I always have a positive attitude because I know some of the younger guys look up to me. I always try to watch what I say and do and how I carry myself, on and off the field.”

Serigney dabbled in other sports, but in the end it was baseball that won out.

“I played football and basketball, but not in high school,” said Serigney, adding that he wanted to concentrate on baseball. “I liked playing them but it wasn’t the same as baseball.”

He would like to play baseball collegiately, but nothing has been firmed up as yet. Lewis thinks there should be a landing spot for his standout.

“He can play college ball, I can tell you that right now,” Lewis said. “He’s got speed and he’s got a cannon for an arm.”

When he finishes his time at Harlem, being on the baseball team and what that brought with it is what Serigney will remember with the most fondness.

“Definitely playing baseball for Harlem,” said Serigney. “Just the community you’re put in when you play sports at Harlem. It’s kind of like a club.”

He would like to remain in the state of Georgia to play collegiately, but not necessarily close to home. He traveled to play baseball at a young age and family played a huge role in his development.

“I pretty much traveled all over the South playing baseball since I was about eight,” Serigney said. “My parents have played a huge role in that and always being supportive and of course traveling with me.”